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thoughts and observations |
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SEASON REVIEW
It's been one hell of a season. With all the lows of the season, especially the non-football related one, there's been a lot of highs as well. It's great to see teams rise up, and get themselves in contention. The first team to come to mind is the Patriots, but the Bears, Niners, Steelers and Jets were all nice stories. What you hate to see is the same teams every year, and we now live in times where that rarely happens.
Now that the regular season is over, it's time to reflect on the season. This will be my last article for awhile, but rest assured, the site will not go stagnant. We'll still post everything the league's releases which is relevant to pro football and the playoffs. Now, let's see who deserves some honors, and look ahead to the Super Bowl.
A look around...
MVP
This is a pretty easy category. It's really between two Rams, Marshall Faulk and Kurt Warner. I lean towards Warner, but I think the vote will go to Faulk for the way he finished. If the award is truly the "Most Valuable", then it's Warner, who makes that offense go. Faulk missed two games, and Trung Canidate filled in admirably.
The Best
I hope you like this one. I approach this differently than most. Instead of individuals, I prefer to select units in particular areas. I also like to point out some individual efforts.
First Team
Quarterback: Kurt Warner, STL - Rarified air.
Running Backs: Marshall Faulk, STL/Priest Holmes, KC - We know about Faulk, but consider Holmes 4.8 average and value as a receiver, he knocks off the rest.
Receiving Corps: Rams/Jags - The Rams receivers don't get enough accolades, but where would Faulk and Warner be without them? The Jags duo of Smith and McCardell make more happen together than most other teams entire units.
Tight Ends: Broncos - This group really helped once McCaffrey went down.
Offensive Lines: Bears/Jets - The Bears line paved the way for a team that is considered a "running team", and they gave up only 11 sacks with Jim Miller in. The Jets lived by the run, and Curtis Martin narrowly missed the rushing title. And they only gave up 18 sacks to Vinny Testeverde.
Defensive Lines: Bears/Ravens - Yes, the Steelers led the league in run defense, but they play a 3-4 and get a lot of linebacker help. The Bears were right behind them. The Ravens let up some overall, but were still tough against the run. The Ravens tailed off on sacks, but the Bears were way up there.
Linebackers: Steelers/Bears - Yes, the Bears again, but look outside Urlacher and you'll see some real solid talent. This is the heart of the Steelers defense, and it shows.
Secondary: Eagles/Redskins - This was tough. The Eagles secondary is left on an island a lot due to their blitzing style, but they come through. The Redskins have a young tandem, and an everlasting veteran. Both these units were solid all year.
Second Team
Quarterback: Brett Favre, GB - Look like he did a few years ago.
Running Backs: Curtis Martin, NYJ/Ahman Green, GB - Martin just puts up the numbers every year...and quietly. Green is not only a good runner, but a very good receiver.
Receiving Corps: Raiders/Colts - Rice and Brown had terrific seasons for the Raiders. You knew they were coming, but it was hard to stop them. The Colts made the list, mainly because of the help they get from their tight ends.
Tight Ends: Chiefs - It's more than Gonzalez. It's Mikhael Ricks and David Dunn. There were a lot of help on a weak receiving corps.
Defensive Lines: Saints/Giants - Both these teams fell short of expectations, but it wasn't because of their D-lines. Both are a handful. Ask the Rams.
Linebackers: Eagles/Cowboys - All the Eagles linebackers can blitz well, and they cover, too. The Cowboys group is an unknown bunch, but they kept the games respectible from the defensive side.
Secondary: Dolphins/Rams - Any problems the Dolphins had on defense was more due to a depleted front four. The Rams worked serious magic when the injuries mounted. It's much more than Aeneas Williams.
Individual Efforts
Quarterback: Rich Gannon, OAK - Did what he could all year to keep things in line.
Running Back: Stephen Davis, WAS - Had a great year considering the 0-5 start.
Wide Receivers: David Boston, ARI/Marvin Harrison, IND/Rod Smith, DEN - All three were their own one-man-show. Kudos to Smith for battling through injuries.
Tight End: Byron Chamberlain, MIN - Not a great blocker, but stepped up receiving when team was falling apart.
Offensive Lineman: Ray Brown, SF - A pro bowl after 72 years in the league, and well deserved.
Defensive Lineman: Shaun Rogers, DET - This rookie was overshadowed by the dismal season by the Lions, but he was excellent.
Linebacker: London Fletcher, STL - As good as any in the NFC, but doesn't get the recognition.
Cornerback: Deltha O'Neal, DEN - Nine picks and 54 tackles speaks for itself.
Specialists
Kicker: Mike Vanderjagt, IND - Not his best year, but was up on percentage and booted three of four fifty yarders.
Punt Returner: Troy Brown, NE - Deserves honors just for his receiving, but is one of the best on punt returns.
Kick Returner: Ronney Jenkins, SD - This spark plug is flat out scary on every return.
Long Snapper: Jeff Robinson, STL - Not only a tight end or part time coach, but one of the best at throwing the ball between his legs. Runner up would be Kendall Gammon of the Chiefs.
The Playoffs
Let's start with the NFC for obvious reasons. The Rams are the team to beat. Forget that the two games they lost were at home. They will start peaking now, and if any of their games are closer than 14 points, I would be surprised. They will likely get the Packers and then the Bears, which you have to want to see, because the Rams have not played either in two or more years.
In the AFC, the early bet is easily Pittsburgh. They have it all, but I would never count out the Patriots. They're fresh, and they will play good ball. If, and when the two match up, it will be one of those games where the Pats shock the Steelers, or it simply becomes a blowout by the Steelers. There will not be a gray area. The Jets could surprise, but I really don't see anyone else making noise.
When the Super Bowl hits, it should be the Rams and Steelers. I get this funny feeling that we saw a preview of this game in the Rose Bowl, with the Rams playing the part of Miami. There's just too much speed that I don't think the Steelers will be ready for. Let's just hope it is a good one.
Worst Team Update
I just felt compelled to finish this. Hands down, it's the Panthers. When you set that ugly losing record (15 losses in a row/season), you just go down as one of the all time worst. Where does this team start? It didn't seem that they had that bad of talent. The Cowboys should get some mention by the way, for losing to the Lions, but we'll save that for another day.
The Future
There has already been a lot of talk about next season. We know one thing, some of those expected to do well won't, and vice versa. I won't make any predictions on who will rise and fall, but I will say I don't buy it that the Titans will return to prominence. Age is hitting them. The Rams and Steelers will be good again. Other than that, it's a whole new ballgame as the league realigns. Considering realignment, I don't think any of us want to predict anything at this point.
Moving on...
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THINGS I KNOW:
George Seifert will not go down as one of the better coaches ever now.
The Wild Card weekend is probably the best pro football weekend there is.
I'm really not sure if Tom Brady is great or if Drew Bledsoe is overrated.
I'll get cold watching this weekend's games in Green Bay and Philadelphia.
The league would be smart to make a rule keeping stadiums to play music on the field. The Rams have complained about it, and it has fallen on deaf ears. Now, they've joined the fray. The Falcons complained about it, but their playoff opponents really will. The Rams don't need any more help.
THINGS I CAN PREDICT:
Dennis Green will be in the broadcast booth next season.
The Bengals will be a .500 team next season.
The Saints will hire a voodoo priestess to try and concoct a heart for everyone in the organization.
The Bucs will lose in the cold again next week. Tony Dungy will be fired. None of it will make a difference, as the team will lose the following cold weather game, too.
Steve Spurrier will get a bazillion dollar contract to coach, but he will not become a great NFL head coach. He will have some nice offenses, though.
Mike owns and publishes SkillPositions.Com, along with a big, expensive, and talented staff. Don't use this work without permission in writing. Mike has been known as the world's only living heart donor. He also thinks morals are paintings on walls, and scruples are money in Russia.
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